Humidifier



I Nov. 3, 1936.

w. E. STARK s She ets-Sheet 1 y a e H mm M W 4 x J a i H m H; ii PM I HJM HLHHH U .1/. u w w A NOV. 3,1936. w T K 2,059,408

HUMIDIFIER Filed July 28, 1954 ssne'ets sneet '2 Nov. 3, 1936.

W. E. STAR K HUMIDIF'IER Filed July 28, 1934 ,3 Sheets-Sheet s atented Nov. 3, I936 The Bryant Heater C veland, Ohio, assignor to ompany, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 28, 1934, Serial'No. 737,432 ll Claims. (Cl. {Mil-) This invention relates to improvements in humidifiers, particularly humidifiers of such character as to be adapted especially for use in residences.

One of the objects of the invention is the pro vision 'of an apparatus of this kind which shall be economical in operation as well as in first cost, and one which will be effective and susceptible of automatic control.

Another object is the provision of a unit for this purpose which shall be compact and easily installed. A 1

Still another objectis the provision of automatic control means of a simple nature in which the fuel valve is indirectly operated by water pressure in the water conductor, thereby simplifying the electrical connections.

Other objects and features of novelty will ap-"' pearas I proceed with the description of those embodiments of the invention which, for the purposes of the present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through the casing of a humidifier unit embodying the inven-.

' tion, and showing certain portions of the apparatus in section, other portions being broken 7 away or removed for the sake otclearness. I

Fig. 2. is a diagrammatic view illustrating particularly that part of the apparatus which is not disclosed in Fig. 1, and showing the general arrangement of the control means, and 3 Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a modification.

In Figs. 1 and 2, which disclose a preferred form of the invention, a fan or blower In for inducing circulation of the air to be treated is shown extending through a suitable opening II in the side of a casing l2. The fan is driven byan electric motor l3.

The water to be evaporated is taken from an open pan H, which is mounted above the jacket l5 of a water heater. The latter comprises the usual copper coil I B and a gas burner ll. The upper end of coil l6 enters'the pan It into which it delivers the heated water. From the pan it a return pipe [18 extends (outside of the jacket I5) downwardly to a union IS. The lower end of coil it projects through the jacket 65 and into this same union. Hence there is provided a complete water circulation system from union l9 into coil I 6, up through that coil into pan M, and back through pipe I8 to the union. Additional or replacement water is fed into this circulation system through a pipe 20, which also extends into the union It.

One. side of the pan M is cut away to form a dam 2i. A plate 22 is attached to thatside of the pan and extends downwardly beyond the bottom of the pan. Water flowing over the dam 2! runs down the side of plate 22 and drips oi? the I bent into accordian folds; It is so placed that its upper end receives the water overflowing from .the pan It. In order to stiffen the assembly,

parallel screen elements 25 and 26 may be secured to the folds of the screen 24,-and a bracket 21 may be employed to secure the upper end of the screen assembly in position. The lower end of the same is received within a shallow pan 23 from which a drain pipe 29 leads to the sewer.

' A flue 30 is connected with the upper end of the jacket I5 and extends from the casing l2, preferably into a chimney (not shown) for conducting away the products of combustion. Above the pan there is a baflle plate 3 I, which directs some of the air downwardly to ripple the surface of the water and thereby increase or facilitate evaporation. At 32 in the top of the jacket I have shown a flanged opening through which the humidified air may fiow on its' way to'the premises. The.

casing I2 may be hung from the ceiling of a basement, and air conductor connections may be made from the opening 32 to a register centrally located in the first floor of the house, while air conductor connections may be made from the opening II to another registerspaced from the first, through which air to be humidified is collected and caused to pass to thehumidifier.

. The gas fuel for the water heater enters the apparatus through a pipe 33. A small pipe 3 extends from pipe 33 to a constantly burning pilot 35 directly adjacent the burner l1, so that whenever gas enters the burner I! it will be ignited by the pilot 35. There are three valves in the fuel pipe leading to the burner ll, that is a diaphragm valve 38 which isv an on and 0E valve automatically operated, a valve 39 which is designed to control the rate of flow of the fuel in order to maintain the temperature of the water in the water heater at a desired level, and a third valve 40 which is designed to prevent the flow of, fuel in the event that the pilot 35 should be out when the fuel is turned on by valve 38.

The-water pipe 20 leading into the humidifiermay include a strainer t! of any suitable character. In the same pipe there is an electric solenoid valve.

or other diaphragm 48. This diaphragm is normally held in a lowered position by the action of a coil spring 49. The diaphragm 48 engages the lower end of a pin 59 which is slidable through the upper wall of casing 41 and also through an opening in the lower part of the casing of gas valve 38. At its upper end this pin bears against the lower surface of a diaphragm 5| ,which'normally rests upon an annular seat 52 in the valve. There is a bleed hole 53 through the diaphragm in order that pressure above and below the diaphragm may be equalized, permitting the diaphragm 5| to descend and engage its seat whenever the diaphragm .48 is permitted to descend and to pull the pin 59 down with it.

The valve 39, which is a valve for regulating ,the rate of flow of fuel, comprises a casing in which there is a chamber 54 having an intake passage 55.. A second chamber59 is separated from chamber 54 by a partition 51 through which there is a circular opening. This opening is surrounded.

by an annular valve seat 58 on the lower side of the partition, and a valve disc 59 is adapted to engage this seat. From the chamber 56 an outlet passage 69 leads into pipe SI, which is in cf fect a continuation of pipe33. A coil spring 82 tends to raise valve disc 59 and hold it against its seat on the lower surface of partition 51'.- A pin 63 slides through an opening in the upper wall of the casing of valve-39, and bears against an adjusting screw 84 arranged within an extension of the valve casing. This screw is threaded into 'the enlarged lower end of a non-expanding rod 65. Screw 64 may be furnished with a pointer and operator 66 for convenience in making adjustments. Rod 85 is engaged at its upper end by the closedextremity of an expanding tube 91, that is to say a tube formed of metal which expands and contracts an appreciable amount The lower endof this tube is tightly mounted in the casing exwith variations in temperature.

tension, and projects through union l9 up into return conductor water pipe I8. Changes in the temperature of the water in this pipe therefore cause changes in the pressure exerted through pin 63 upon valve disc 59, thereby regulating the size of the opening between the chambers 54 and 56, and hence the rateof flow of gas through the In practice the. movements of the valve piece 59 are very slight. This water thermostat, consisting primarily of the rod 65 and the tube 81, for controlling gas flow, is well known in the art, and forms no part of the present invention except in combination with other elements of the apparatus'herein disclosed. a

The fuel valve 40, as previously stated, is solely for the purpose of cutting off the flow of fuel in the event thatthe pilot 35 should go out. This valve also forms no part of the present invention except in combination with other elements, an

hence, itwill be described quite briefly.

Within the casingof valve 49 there are two.

-valve seats 88 and 69 arranged in horizontal alignment and spaced apart slightly. A valve disc 19 is adapted to engage ei her one of these seat flow into burner I1.

port. N

to a spring 99 which maintains the strip .83 un-,

and has a stem II passing through a sealing diaphragm I2, and provided at its extremity with a pair of spaced collars I3, between which is .arranged a bifurcated lever I4 that is pivoted at its lower end, and at its upper end engages a spring link I5 pivoted at its upper end to the casing I6. The lever I4 and the link I5 together form a toggle which operates to push the valve stem II in one direction or the other as soon as forated at its extremity to constitute a pilot burner 89. Thermostatic strip I8 is protected from the heat of pilot 35 by a suitable barrier 8|.

When the burner I1 is not operating, valve piece I9 is in engagement with valve seat 68. Now, if the gas be turned on by valve 38, gas will flow through tube I9 into pilot burner 89. which will be ignited by the constantly burning pilot 35. The heat from the pilot 89 will then cause thermostatic metal strip 18 to bend into the position shown in Fig. 2, whereupon pipe I9 will be closed ofi and gas will be permitted .to The pilot I8 will then go out temporarily, permitting thermostatic strip I8 to cool ofi to the extent necessary to draw the toggle I4, I5 over toward dead center, when the flow of fuel through tube I9 will be resumed and pilot 89 again ignited. The strip I8 will then again cause the valve disc I9 to close against seat 69. In this way the pilot 89 will be turned on and off at frequent intervals but the valve piece I9 will remain ofi 'valve seat 88 so long as the valve 38 remains open, and so long as pilot 89 can ignite from pilot 35.

,The operation of the system is controlled by a humidostat 82 which is located at some convenient point in the premises to be humidified. The particular character of the humidostat is of no importance in this invention except that it should be of such nature as to be capable of switching on and on a 110 volt current. As illustrated in with such changes. This strip is anchored at one extremity to the end of a lever 84 which is pivoted at,85 to a suitable support and is adjustable bymeans of a screw 88. The'strip runs over guides 87 and is connected at its opposite extremity to one arm of a lever 88 pivoted at 89 to the sup- The opposite arm of the lever is attached der tension. The lever 88 has a downwardly projecting arm 9| with a bifurcated extremity that engages a pin on a bracket 92 which is pivoted at 93 to the support. The bracket 92 carries aglass capsule 94 within which there is a globule' of mercury 95 that,is adapted to bridge contacts in one end of the capsule connected with flexible electric conductors'98 and 91. These conductors have binding posts 98 and 99. An electric conductor I99 extends from binding post 99 to line wire l9I, while theconductor I92 is connected with binding post 98. Conductor I92 extends to one end of solenoid coil 44. From'the other end of that coil a conductor I98 leads to line wire I94. B anch conductors I95 and I96 extending motor i 3.

aosaeoe it from conductors M2 and i 03 carry current to the Inasmuch as the heat from pilot 35, if continued for a long period of time without operationof the apparatus, might dry up the water in the system, I provide a by-pass pipe i011 around the valves 42 and 45, in which there is a needle valve I08 that is set to permit only a very limited flow of water, which passes through the system constantly and insures a supply of water at all times in the pan i4 and in the water conductors i6 and it.

The various parts of the apparatus are shown in Fig. 2 in the operating position. At such times water fiows into the heater through pipe 20, valve t2 being open. A comparatively small quantity of water is also flowing through pipe ml. The pressure of the water in the pipe 20 is trans-- mitted through branch pipe 46 to the lower side of diaphragm 48, and as a result that diaphragm is in the raised position illustrated, and consequently the diaphragm 5| is also raised from its seat 52 to the illustrated position, permitting gas to fiow into valve 39, which is maintained open to a slight extent. If the water in return pipe ill becomes heated above a predetermined degree,

the xpansible tube Bl is lengthened sufliciently to permit spring 61 to raise valve piece 59 and reduce the rate of flow of the gas. The water thermostat is so set by the pointer 66 as to prevent thev water in the pan H from reaching boiling temperature. Valve "is maintained open, as previously explained, provided the pilot 35' is burning.

At this time the lever 88, 89 and associated parts of the humidostat will be in the position illustrated. The conductors 96 and 91 will be connected by the mercury globule 95 and the motor 13 will be running. The fan in will therefore be inducing a flow of air, taken from the premises, and having a humidity below that desired. The finely divided warm water on the screen 24 will be taken up by the air passing through the screen, this absorption of moisture being facilitated by the heated condition of the water. At the same time the air passing through the screen will be raised in temperature a few degrees because of the heated water. This moistened air then flows around the Jacket l5 of the water heater and around the flue 30. Thus, it has its temperature increased, and therefore its relative humidity decreased. At this higher temperature the air passing over the surface of the water in the pan is capable of absorbing more moisture than if it had not been heated in this intermediate stage.

Hence, when the air contacts the surface of the water in pan 14, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2, it is in favorable condition to absorb further moisture from the water in the open pan,

that water being quite hot. The humidified air then passes out of the unit through opening 32 and into the premises.

Upon the humidity of the air in the premises reaching the desired point, the humidity responsive strip 83 in the'humidostat will be lengthened by expansion, and the spring will then swing the. lever 88 in the anti-clockwise direction, 'when the capsule 94 will be turned on the pivot'93 to the dotted line position to cause the globule 95 to move to the righthand end of the capsule, thereby breaking' the electrical connection' between conductors 96 and '91. The water valve 43 will then close, and the motor l3 will stop. Water and gas will flow through bleed hole 53 to equalize the pressure above and below the diaphragm. By

this meansthe flow of gas into the water heater will be stopped. Thermostatic metal strip it will then straighten out, causing the valve disc it to engage seat t8 and open the passage into tube l9. There will then be no activity in the unit except for the burning of pilot 35 and the flow of a slight amount of water through by-pass ml, then through the heater, and out by way of the, overflow 2| and screen M to the drain pipe 29.

During the operation of the unit the water passing down over the screen in a finely divided state is cooled by evaporation and tends to approach the wet bulb temperature of the air introduced into the apparatus by the fan. Let us say, for example, that the .air introducedby the fan (which is withdrawn from the quarters being conditioned) is in a state of temperature and humidity considered desirable for living quarters, namely 70 dry bulb temperature and 40% relative humidity, which corresponds to a wet bulb temperature of 56. With small amounts of water passing over the screen, by the time the water reaches the bottom of the screen it will be cooled to this 56 wet bulb temperature of the entering air. Therefore,- if the water in the water supply is initially at 56, the waste water will go out at the temperature the water initially entered the heater, thus resulting in no loss whatsoever to the sewer. If the water happens to be at a tem- J perature initially below 56" the loss of heat to the sewer is minimized. If the water is fortu nately at a temperature above 56, which may prevail during the early part of the humidlfying' humidification in two steps, the first step being when the air passes through the screen, and the second step being when the air passes over the surface of the body of water, from the overflow of which the screen is moistened. The humiditfying also takes place according to the counterfiow principle, which is superior in economy, so

far as the amount of humidifying surface re-' quired is concerned, to humdification taking place according to the parallel fiow principle. By this I mean the less humid entering air, which therefore has a lower vapor pressure than the leaving air, is brought into contact with the cooler water, which has less vapor pressure than the hotter water, while the leaving air with a higher vapor pressure, comes intocontact with hotter water which possesses a still higher vapor pressure. This gives a greater average difference in vapor pressures, which is the motive power to. produce humidification, than if the water and Y the air travelled along parallel paths.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a modification designed to be employed primarily in buildings of considerable size. In this form of the invention I use an open pan i I 0 supplied with water from a serv ice pipe ill, the water in the pan being maintained at a predetermined level by means of float valve H2. The water in the pan is heated by steam coil H3 fed by pipe ill from a boiler 5,.

there. being a return to the boiler.

Water is drawn off from the pan H0 through a pipe H6? from a point just above the steam coil pipe H6 from the coil or the accompanying illustrations.

3. A water pump III to which pipe 6' is connected forces the heated water through a pipe IIB into a set of spray nozzles IIQ, which provide a cloud of spray in the path of air delivered by a blower I20 which is mounted in an air conductor leading from the premises. As soon as the air is humidified in this manner it passes through an eliminator I 2I of conventional form, by which water that is not.thorough.ly vaporized is removed. Thereafter the moistened air passes between the coils of a steam radiator I22, by means of which the air is further heated. It is then deflected downwardly by a baflle I23 and caused to pass close to the surface of the hot water in pan III], which action provides a second stage of humidification, as in the first described form of the invention. The radiator I22 may be supplied wtih steam through a pipe I24 branching from pipe Ill, and the condensation water may be returned to the boiler by a pipe I25 connected with pipe H8. The air when fully humidified is conducted back to the'premises by an air conductor I26.

Inthe drawing no means for automatically controlling the apparatus of Fig. 3 is shown, but it will be obvious that such a means can be provided, particularly for the pump Ill and the blower I20, through electrical connections for the electric motors driving those elements. The electrical connections may be made and broken by a humidostat, in the same manner as disclosed in the modification of Figs. 1 and 2. The automatic control means may also be caused to cut on and off the steam to coils H3 and I22, if desired, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Variations from" the described structures may be employed. Accordingly I desire it to be understood that the scope of the invention is to be regarded as defined exclusively by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description Having thusdescribed my invention, I claim:

1. A'method of humidifying and warming air, which comprises humidifying the air by causing it to move through a curtain of finely divided hot water, warming the thus humidified air by passing it over the heater which provides the hot water, and then further warming andhumidifying the air by passing it over the surface of the water in a reservoir fed by the heater, from which reservoir is drawn said curtain of finely divided hot water.

2. In a humidifier, a water heater having a. water coil, an open pan in circuit with said coil, a screen arranged below the pan and adapted to receive water overflowing from the pan, and means for causing air to flow over said screen, then over the water heater, and finally over the surface of the water in the said pan, whereby the cold air is moistened and warmed, then further warmed, and finally further moistened and warmed.

3. In combination, a humidostat, a humidifier embodying a water heater, a conductor for water and a conductor for fluid fuel both leading to said heater, means for causing the air to be humidified to pass in contact with water heated in said heater, means actuated by the water in the water conductor for controlling the flow of fuel in the fuel conductor, and a valve in the water conductor operatively connected with said humidostat to be opened when the humidostat calls for humidification.

4. In combination, a humidostat, a humidifier embodying a water heater and a blower, an electric motor for o eratin said blower. a conductor for water and a conductor for fluid fuel both leading to said heater, said 'blower causing the air to be humidified to pass in contact with water heated in said heater, means actuated by the water in the water conductor for controlling the flow of fuel in the fuel conductor, an electric valve in the water conductor, and electrical connections between said humidostat and said motor and between said humidostat and said electric valve whereby said blower may be started and said water and fuel may be turned on when said humidostat calls for humidification.

5. In a humidifier, a water heater comprising a jacket and a water coil, an open pan mounted above the jacket, a connection from the coil to the pan and a return connection from the pan to the coil, a screen arranged below the pan and adapted to receive water overflowing from the pan, means for passing air through said screen, and then over the jacket of the water heater, and finally over the surface of the water in the pan.

6. In a humidifier, a water heater comprising a jacket, an open pan mounted above the jacket, a

connection from the heater to the pan and a return connection from the panto the heater, a screen arranged below the pan and adapted to receive water overflowing from the pan, means for passing air through said screen, then over the jacket of the water heater, and finally over the surface of the water in the pan, and means for deflecting the air downwardly as it passes over the pan, whereby ripples are produced in the water in the pan and the heated water therein is caused to give up additional moisture.

'7. In combination, a humidifier embodying a water heater, a conductor for water and a conductor for fluid fuel both leading to said heater, means for causing the air to be humidified to pass in a current in contact with water heated in said heater, means controlled by the water pressure in the water conductor for turning on or off the flow of fuel in the fuel conductor, an electric valve in the water conductor, and means for operating said electric valve by remote control. 8. In combination, a humidifier embodying a water heater, a conductor for water and a conductor for fluid fuel both leading to said heater, means for causing the air to be humidified to pass ina current in contact with water heated in said heater, means controlled by the water pressure in the water conductor for turning on or off the flow of fuel in the fuel conductor, and means arranged for actuation at a point remote from said water heater for .varying the pressure in said water conductor.

9. In combination, a humidifier embodying a water heater and a blower, an electric motor for operating said blower, a conductor for water and a conductor for fluid fuel both leading to said heater, said blower being arranged to cause the air to be humidified to pass in contact with water heated in said heater, and means actuated by the water in the water conductor for controlling the flow of fuel in the fuel conductor, an electric valve in the water conductor, and a remote control for said electric valve and said motor whereby said blower may be started and said water and fuel may be turned on simultaneously.

10. A method of humidifying air, which comprises introducing hot water into an open pan, removing water from one end of the pan and causing it to take the form of a curtain of finely divided particles extending downwardly from the pan, moving a column of air through the curtain and. beneath the pan to the opposite end thereof,

and then back over the surface of the heated water in the pan to absorb further moisture.

11. A method of humidifying air, which comprises introducing hot water into an open pan,

removing water from one end of the pan and causing it to take the form-o1 a curtain of finely divided particles extending downwardly from the pan, moving a column of air through the curtain and beneath the pan to the opposite end thereof, heating the air after it leaves said curtain, and

p then causing it to flow back over the surface of the heated water in the pan to absorb further moisture.

WILLET E. STARK. 

